Fulton County Warns of Pretrial Supervision Scam Targeting Atlanta Area

Officials urge public to beware of scam calls from individuals posing as sheriff's deputies demanding payment for pretrial release.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:34pm

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The Superior Court of Fulton County is issuing a warning about a scam targeting residents with fraudulent pretrial supervision claims. Scammers are calling individuals, pretending to be deputies from the Sheriff's Office, and claiming the call recipient has been booked into the Fulton County Jail and qualifies for Pretrial Supervision, but must pay a fee to be released.

Why it matters

This scam aims to take advantage of vulnerable individuals who may be facing criminal charges, further victimizing them through fraudulent demands for payment. Raising awareness about this scam can help protect Fulton County residents from falling victim to these deceptive tactics.

The details

Authorities clarify that in actual criminal cases, a person remains in jail until a bond hearing takes place. If Pretrial Supervision is granted by a judge, there are absolutely no fees involved. The county's Pretrial Services Program never asks for or accepts payment for supervision. The scam artists are reportedly using real names of Sheriff's Office staff and accessing public arrest records to seem more convincing.

  • The Superior Court of Fulton County issued the warning on March 26, 2026.

The players

Fulton County Superior Court

The court system in Fulton County, Georgia, that is issuing the warning about the pretrial supervision scam.

Fulton County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in Fulton County, Georgia, that the scammers are falsely claiming to represent.

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What’s next

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office is investigating the scam and urging residents to report any suspicious calls to their office.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of vigilance when receiving unsolicited calls, especially those claiming to be from law enforcement or the courts. Residents should verify the legitimacy of any such claims before providing any personal or financial information.